Paraskar met victim's lawyer in Croma

Adding a new twist to the alleged rape case which involves IPS officer Sunil Paraskar, the chief public prosecutor, Kalpana Chavan, on Thursday in her statement, exposed the defence advocate's attitude towards the case. Chavan informed the court about an alleged conversation which between Paraskar's lawyer and the complainant's lawyer.

Paraskar's lawyer, Rizwan Merchant, reportedly had a conversation with the complainant's lawyer, Rizwan Siddiquee, during an iftar party last month. "Your client has falsely implicated my client. If it is money that she wants from my client, then let us settle the matter (off the court)," was what Merchant told Siddiquee. The prosecution, which was opposing the anticipatory bail application (ABA), informed the special women's court. The prosecution further claimed that there were several calls as well as messages which were continuously exchanged between the two lawyers and Paraskar, even after the complainant, had shot a legal notice to the officer.

Chavan, in her arguments further informed the court that after the two advocates met each other in an iftar party, Paraskar also wanted to speak to Siddiquee, and accordingly when Siddiquee was shopping in a Croma outlet in Juhu, Paraskar met him. "There is CCTV footage, which confirms that the two meet each other in Croma, but we are yet to trace their conversations. Siddiquee had recorded a statement before the Mumbai crime branch claiming the same," read Chavan.

Prosecution further added that there were several reasons because of which the prosecution opposes the ABA. "No doubt that the officer will not abscond from the case, but there is a high chance of the officer jeopardising the witnesses in the case. The officer, being a police official, knows the exact way in which the investigation proceeds, and in such a case, there is a requirement for him to be behind bars to ensure a smooth investigation," said the Chavan.

The court has adjourned the matter to Friday, when the prosecution as well as the complainant's recent lawyer advocate Chitra Salunke will oppose the ABA.